3 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Eyeglasses Online

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You might have
been shocked by the prices quoted by your
optometrist, but that doesn’t mean you have
to pay it. As with many other things, you could find a much better
deal online. However, as with many other items sold online, it is
possible to make mistakes. This is especially true when you’re
buying something as personal and fragile as eyewear. Here are three
mistakes to avoid when buying eyeglasses online.

Not Having the
Necessary Paperwork

You need a valid
eyeglasses prescription
to order eyeglasses online. Ideally, the
prescription is less than a year old. Don’t make the mistake of
ordering eyeglasses online from an old prescription when you really
need a slightly different prescription. Know that your eye doctor is
legally required to give you a copy of your prescription after
they’ve done an eye exam. This allows you to get your new glasses
anywhere.

Conversely, you
don’t want to make the mistake of ordering your glasses based on a
quick online eye exam. It isn’t as good as that done by a real eye
doctor. Know that an eye exam may not cost you much money and may
even be covered by your insurance.

Thinking All Glasses
Frames Are the Same

Some people may
think that all glasses frames are the same. In reality, the bridge
width and temple arm length vary between pairs of glasses. Don’t
buy glasses that look great but will be constantly falling off. You
also need to choose glasses that have the right pupillary distance.

The pupillary
distance is the distance between the pupils of your eyes. The lenses
in the glasses must be centered on your pupils, or your corrected
vision may not be as good as you expected. Note that you may have to
ask the eye doctor to put the pupillary distance on the prescription
so that you can order glasses that truly fit you.

Not Paying Attention
to Quality

Another factor
to consider is quality. You don’t want to buy a cheap pair of
glasses where the frame will break if they fall off your dresser.
However, you may not get a product that has dramatically higher
quality despite the high cost. You need to find the right balance
between cost and quality, though there are products that are of
exceptional quality for their price. Nike
eyeglasses for instance are known for being
durable, attractive and a good fit without costing a fortune.

Industry studies
found that up to a quarter of eyeglasses sold online don’t meet
industry standards for safety. For example, the lenses may shatter if
you’re hit in the face by a door. That could injure your eyes,
though we expect the glasses to protect them. One solution is to buy
eyeglasses lenses made from trivex or polycarbonate instead of glass.
Another solution is choosing an online retailer known for quality
products that don’t break when dropped or hit. Be willing to pay a
little more for high impact resistance, especially if you’re in a
high risk environment.

Conclusion

While frames can
be found incredibly cheap online, you don’t want to make a mistake
with such a personal purchase. Avoid making the mistakes we’ve
pointed out, and you’ll probably be happy with your purchase.